Christmas in Uganda.

Christmas in Uganda is called Sekukkulu and, just like in the UK, it is about people returning home to their families and communities to spend time together, eat food, enjoy music and play games.

Sekukkulu is celebrated on the 25^th of December and it’s one of the most important holidays in Uganda. Many city authorities arrange for giant Christmas trees to be lit, and Christian choirs sing carols. Wherever you go, you will hear people wishing each other ‘Sekukkulu Ennugi’, which has a similar meaning to ‘Merry Christmas’.

Everything stops for Sekukkulu, and the centre of the celebrations is, of course, the birth of Jesus Christ. The festivities begin the night before, first at church, and then at home, where children help prepare the home and food for the big feast the next day.

People like to dress up for Sekukkulu, in their best or new clothes, and women often wear the traditional dresses and headwear, after all, it’s a celebration! Churches are decorated with candles and filled to capacity – including those who do not usually attend – everyone enjoys the festive atmosphere and singing traditional carols.

After church, is the feast! At the centre of the feast is chicken, well-seasoned and wrapped in smoked banana leaves, then steamed with matoke. This is a traditional cooking method only found in Uganda. Along with the smoked chicken, all types of meat are cooked and served with rice and sweet potato.

After the feast, families and friends celebrate with games, storytelling, singing and dancing, and knowing that everything is still closed the next day, this continues into the early hours.

We wish Sekukkulu Ennugi to all our wonderful supporters, from everyone at CPA.